She has only four days left to send her official confirmation to the organizers about her participation in the Asia Pacific Yogasana Sports championship, from 21st August to 24th August in Colombo, Sri Lanka. She needs at least Rs 55 thousand for the trip. She has so far received a private donation of Rs 10 thousand! 

Still, Susmita Debnath believes she will be able to take part in the Asia Pacific Yogasana. Yoga helps her to gain the conviction. 

"The situation was similar before my trip to Dubai and I could arrange the required amount (nearly Rs 2.5 lakh) only a couple of days before I started for Dubai," Susmita, fondly known as 'Rai' in her locality revealed. 

Susmita arranged a maximum of the required amount against the mortgage of her mother's gold ornaments. The rest of the amount could be accumulated with the help of some relatives, or a private organization.

She recently created a sensation in the Third Asian Yogasana Sports Cup in Dubai, clinching three gold medals in three events, the first from Bengal in recent times. Along with the desired gold medals Susmita also remembers the 100 US Dollars she earned after finishing as the ‘first runner-up’ in the champion of champions’ competition, probably her first earning from a competition. 

Susmita whose yoga journey started under the observation and guidance of her mother Mamoni Nandi, later improved her basics from late Arup Manna and then late Arun Das. Her spontaneity and ability to bend the body with effortless ease, encouraged her mother to take Susmita to yoga in her childhood.  

But, Susmita, even after having glorified her state and country has not yet received the least amount of incentives from either the state, the association, or the state. Even before her international gold medals, Susmita acquired three medals (gold, silver, and a bronze medal) in the National Games in Uttarakhand last year. 

Then she achieved another feather winning the first-ever bronze medal in the Khelo India Games, representing Calcutta University this year. 

The 20-year-old yoga player hails from Udaynarayanpur in Howrah district. Her father Shyamal Debnath has a small business of garments. Her mother Mamoni Debnath whose observation and inspiration guided Susmita to settle with yoga, is a casual worker at a private bank. 

Susmita also is running an academy named Rai Yoga Academy. She seemed optimistic stating, “Initially the number of students was around 30. Now, after my little success, the number increased to 100. Even a few among them are playing at the state level. So, it is also a satisfaction that my students are coming up.” 

Susmita has simultaneously planned to submit job applications. "I need a job or sponsorship so that I can think of participating in international competitions in the future. It will be painful for me to keep mother’s gold ornaments on mortgage anymore,” concluded Susmita.